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“She’s all ready,” Dean said, coming around the back of the tow truck. “Here, let me help you with your bag, and we’ll get you both situated.”
It was a few steps after his feet hit the grass that I noticed his scent, my spine straightening immediately.
“Alpha,” the word slipped through my lips, stopping me in my tracks.
The deep bitter notes of orange pekoe tea cut through my nose, laced with a surprisingly sweet dash of lemon and citrus. I instantly went slick, and my knees almost buckled from the wave of desire that rolled through me.
It was the first time in three years that I scented someone who smelled like home and it absolutely scared the shit out of me. I still carried the weight of that experience with me, and I was already here trying to make things right for Theo’s sake. I couldn’t handle anything else on top of that right now.
“Mommy. Truck!” Theo said, his little hand poking my shoulder urgingly.
Dean stopped in his tracks, no doubt noticing my internal panic.
“Hey now, everything’s going to be okay. Why don’t you tell me what you need to feel comfortable?” he asked. “Do you want to call your alpha?”
It was then that I realized two things. One, that the very visible bond mark on my neck was showing, something that had given me comfort while living in the city. And two, that my blockers were still working.
If he’d realized I was a perfect scent match for him too we’d be having a much different conversation, I was sure.
A purr tore from his chest, but he didn’t take a step closer, making sure not to frighten me any more.
I took a deep breath. “What’s your last name?”
“Miller,” he said evenly. “My father owns the shop.”
He stayed where he was, giving me a reassuring smile as I pulled out my phone and dialed my Grandma Beatty.
“Are my favorite grandkids almost here?” she asked as soon as she answered.
“Almost,” I told her, aware that Dean was listening in on the conversation. “Ran into some car trouble.”
I’d rather him think I had an alpha, just in case. Although the sad fact was that I’d driven mine away, the mark on my neck a promise from what felt like another lifetime ago.
“Oh no, do you need me to come get you?”
“Do you know a Dean Miller?” I asked her instead.
She chuckled. “Oh yes, he runs the shop with his pack over on second street. They do a real good job.”
“Anything I should be concerned about?” I asked her.
“Oh no deary, I think you’ll find themallvery helpful. I’m sure those boys will take the best care of you, but if you need anything else just give me a ring.” She sounded a bit too chipper, but I couldn’t ask her why in front of him.
Before I could ask anything else, she hung up leaving me to pocket my phone.
“So what’s the verdict?” he asked.
“All clear,” I said with a nod, taking a deep breath through my mouth. “I’m sorry about that.”
“You don’t ever need to apologize when it comes to what makes you feel comfortable,” he said sincerely. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m also bonded to a wily omega of my own.”
He pulled down the collar of his shirt to reveal a pale scar at the crux of his shoulder.
The sight hit me in the gut. Even if he was scent bound to me, he’d already bonded someone else.
Somehow that made it easier to accept his offer, knowing that there wasn’t a chance for us regardless. According to Beatty he had a pack, and I was happy that he’d found something fulfilling like that.
“I believe we have a little guy here who’d like to see your truck,” I said in answer, my feet finally moving forward.
